Birkenshaw Fire Service HQ. Firemen training. Nikki Patel (Dev's daughter from Coronation Street) taking part in the drills to promote the annual fire service awards. (09050955)

Gemma Jimmison

Crews covering for striking firefighters were called to the Paragon Business Park in Wakefield and Northfield Avenue in South Kirkby on the last day of industrial action yesterday (Monday).

The incident at Paragon was an automatic test fire alarm and the South Kirkby call was a false alarm caused by fumes from cooking. The crews also gave advice on controlled burning in Kinsley.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union have walked out 15 times - for two hours on each occasion - on eight consecutive days in a dispute over pensions. During this time the brigade received 193 calls and attended 95 incidents.

The shifts were covered by contingency crews made up of non-striking officers and community response operatives specifically drafted in to help during periods of industrial actions.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling said: “Delivering a contingency plan that provided a resilient fire and rescue service for West Yorkshire over the eight consecutive days of strike action has been a tremendous challenge.

“I am hugely grateful to everyone who has been part of that plan, without whom we simply would not have been able to protect the public in the way that we have.

“I once again reiterate my plea for the Fire Brigades Union to meet with the minister and for both to find a way to resolve this dispute.”

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